The cost of a bottle of pop per week seems like a rather small investment, but when multiplied by 52 (weeks) and then again by 500 (people), the total will generate a significant contribution. This is the suggestion Joe LoBue, Corporate Director of Employee Relations, made to kick off the USIS Western Pennsylvania campaign for the United Way, which began last September 10th. Joe spoke on behalf of the WPCAC (Western Pennsylvania Community Action Council), a nine-member USIS group that coordinates all charity and community activities for Western PA.

During the 2007 Campaign, the first comprehensive United Way campaign at USIS was launched, and $10,000 was collected. This year, the hope was to do better, and a participation goal of 35 percent was set. Ron Rummell, Operations Manager of the Special Investigations Unit and the Chairperson of the 2008 Campaign, said that reaching the goal would mean that at least 490 of the 1,400 people working in Western PA made a contribution.

Donations can always be made by check, cash, or credit card; however, Joe encourages the use of payroll deduction because "it's something you just won't miss." As another way of providing encouragement, USIS offered two incentives. The first was a premium that "you can't get anywhere else" and was for those that chose a deduction of $2.00 per pay, or a one-time donation of $52.00 per year. A black and red canvas duffle bag with USIS and United Way logos was the thank-you gift at that level. The second incentive was offered to those that gave the equivalent of a quarter of their hourly pay rate per pay. These contributors had their names entered in a drawing to win a United Way preferred parking space. One space was available at each USIS location.

USIS continues its ongoing commitment to the United Way, not only by contributing time for informational meetings and purchasing thank-you gifts, but also in a new collaborative project with Hicks Office Products. Recycling containers for used ink cartridges were placed at all USIS locations; Hicks, in turn, sells the cartridges to a recycler, and donates the money to the United Way.

Many components go into a successful campaign such as the one USIS promoted. Total contributions from USIS locations were $21,483 for the 2008 Campaign...MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM LAST YEAR! For this, the United Way extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to USIS EMPlOYEES for making an IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY!